A Personal Health Plan Includes Screening Tests

Everyone should develop a lifetime plan to stay healthy. A healthy lifestyle, an understanding of personal health risks and the appropriate use of screening tests are all important parts of a plan.

Routine screening tests can be one of the most important personal health strategies. Screening tests are designed to detect disease or risk factors for disease before symptoms appear. Detecting disease early can lead to more effective treatment. Identifying risk factors for disease may reduce the chance of developing certain diseases or prevent them completely.

Much research on the development and effectiveness of various screening tests has been done in recent years. Although effective screening tests are widely available, many people do not take advantage of them. A screening test is not necessarily complicated or expensive. For example, a simple blood pressure check can detect elevated blood pressure or hypertension, which is a risk factor for heart disease and stroke. Discovery can lead to early treatment and prevention of these adverse outcomes.

Common screening tests in addition to blood pressure measurement include checking your cholesterol value and blood sugar (diabetes). Cancer screening tests are available for colon cancer (starting at age 50), breast cancer (mammograms, annually starting at 40), cervical cancer (Pap test) and prostate cancer (blood PSA test starting at 50). Personal risk factors can change the age at which testing begins and the frequency with which the tests are performed.

There are also other important strategies to stay healthy and prevent disease. In addition to specific screening tests, reviewing your family history and lifestyle can help identify risk factors that may increase or decrease your chances of developing specific conditions. The best approach is to discuss a lifetime preventive strategy with your personal physician. Completing one of the many available health risk appraisal tools on the Internet can help make you more informed about your personal risks and increase the focus and productivity of your discussions with your physician.

A Personal Health Plan Includes Screening Tests was last modified: February 4th, 2016 by Michael Covalciuc